Before leaving for work I snacked on a Lemon Zest Luna Bar. I wanted something refreshing (actually I really wanted some fresh JUICE! Obsessed? I think I’m going to need a juicer very soon.) yet more substantial than fruit so I picked this Luna Barout of my enormous bar supply. I really ought to document the number of bars I have on hand…it’s getting to be out of control. I like Luna Bars but don’t have them that often because I went through a period when I ate them every morning on my way to class/sports and “burned out” from them. I also discovered a bunch of other snack bars that I liked better, and the importance of eating a REAL breakfast.

After my snack I whipped together a Spicy Peanut Tempeh “Wrap”. I’m not really sure what to call this because I used a whole wheat and flax tortilla but I can never close my wraps, so I pressed it in the panini maker instead. In this bad boy is: shredded carrots, clover sprouts snap peas, tempeh, spicy peanut sauce (1 TBS peanut butter mixed with 1tsp reduced sodium soy sauce, lime juice and a pinch of red chili flakes), 1/4 an avocado, 1/8 sliced red pepper, and 1/8 sliced mango. I had this with a side of roasted Kabocha squash. See I can make simple dinners!! I should have doubled the sauce, it was SO good. Afer dinner I had a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, because I just needed more of a peanut butter fix. I think tomorrow’s breakfast will be staring some nut butter :).

On another note, I thanked the customer service contact at Breville about the juicer and he wrote a small essay for me to add to my blog about juicing. I love the taste of fresh juice, but other than that, I am not educated on the health benefits and proper juicing technique to obtain the optimum nutrition. I found this information very interesting and helpful. When I had juice after yoga class, I felt a sense of “rejuvenation”; a much better feeling than just rehydrating with water. He Wrote:

Why Juice?

● Most of us lead fast-paced lives, but juicing can pack in the recommended five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Once you start experiencing the benefits of fresh juice, juicing will become a habit.

● freshly made juice is a potent source of nutrients and certain combinations have specific health benefits. If you drink juices on a regular basis, you’ll enjoy clearer skin, better energy levels and balanced overall health

● Juices are a great alternative to dairy, either due to allergies or to intolerance. And can be a great way to supplement your breakfast of curb an afternoon sweet tooth craving, because it’s quick to make and consume.

● Fresh juice is much healthier than canned, bottled, frozen or packaged juice as it contains far more nutrients and other ‘living foods’.

● drinking at least one glass of fresh, organic juice each day, you can reverse whatever toxic burden your body is struggling with.

Quick absorption = Instant Energy

● Juicing makes it easier to obtain far greater concentrations of nutrients than fruits and vegetables than if they were in their solid state. No other health product or even healthy foods, can match how quickly and easily fresh fruit and vegetable juices are digested and absorbed by the body. Fresh-squeezed juices are absorbed almost immediately once they are consumed, whereas solid foods take much longer to digested

● During the juicing process, the cell wall of fruits and vegetables is cut open, releasing an abundance of nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll, all of which are quickly absorbed by the body once consumed. Its is precisely because fresh juices contain such an abundance of nutrients that juicing can create such an energizing effect in the body.

Go for organic

● By using organic produce, you will spare yourself from the many harmful chemicals that non-organic food crops typically contain, due to commercial farming methods that rely on the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and other man-made chemical products.

● Peel all produce that is not organic, even though the largest concentration of nutrients is in and next to the skin. The peels and skins of sprayed fruits and vegetables contain the largest concentration of pesticides.

Tips in preparation

● Cut away all moldy, bruised or damaged areas as they are lacking in any nutritional benefit. Avoid using overripe produce as it can result in too much pulp, and they contain less nutrient content than properly ripened produce

● Use leaves and stems, as they are packed with rich nutrients, but remove pits from stone fruits as they will damage the juicer.

● Always peel oranges tangerines and grapefruits before juicing because the skins of these items contain bitter-tasting oils that can cause digestive problems. Lemons and limes can be juiced, if organic and will get an extra kick. However, when you are preparing citrus fruit for juicing, leave as much of the white pithy part on the citrus fruit as possible, since it contains the most vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

How long does fresh juice last?

● The sooner you drink your juice after you make it, the more nutrients you will get.

● It is best to consume the drink within 20 minutes after they are prepared and only make as much as you intend to drink at one time. The maximum shelf life in the refrigerator for fresh-squeezed juice is 48 hours. Beyond that time, virtually none of the nutritional benefits of juice remain, beyond calories and some mineral content.

● Light heat, and air will destroy nutrients quickly. The longer it sits out, the more nutrients that are lost. If juice browns, it has oxidized and has lost a nutritional value. Lemon juice will help slow the oxidation process.

Since I’ve been juicing I have done some research and read several informative books to have some knowledge of facts regarding juicing. Hopefully this information will help your blog site. Last I just want to mention that with you will find a lot of recipes in the instruction book for the juicer and may suggest to you that it is best to go slow and to experiment with various juice combinations in order to note how you feel after drinking them. As you discover the juice combinations that work best for you, you can then start to make them a part of your daily health regime.